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Sixteen teams — or, at least, there will be 16 after Tuesday’s sudden-death showdown in Red Deer — have earned the right to battle for the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

Here’s a look at the opening round action:

Edmonton Oil Kings vs. TBA

It really doesn’t matter who the defending Eastern Conference champions play in the opening round. The Oil Kings will be considered monster favourites over either the Red Deer Rebels or the Prince Albert Raiders, who match up in a one-game tiebreaker Tuesday night. The Oil Kings have scored the most goals in the conference and have given up the least. Enough said.

Prediction: Oil Kings in four

Regina Pats vs. Brandon Wheat Kings

This might be the upset special as just eight points separates the No. 2 and No. 7 seeds. The Wheat Kings won five of the eight meetings during the regular season, although two were in overtime. But the Pats were 3-0-1 on home ice, where they had a .681 winning percentage. The Wheaties were just .444 on the road, the worst record in the conference, so they have some work to do.

Prediction: Pats in seven

Calgary Hitmen vs. Kootenay Ice

The two teams split their eight meetings during the regular season, although the Ice earned more points with a 4-2-2 head-to-head record. The Hitmen did sweep a season-ending home-and-home with the Ice, so that should give them confidence for this series. And the Hitmen, who have been hit hard by injuries, are getting healthy at the right time while the Ice are missing key pieces.

Prediction: Hitmen in six

Medicine Hat Tigers vs. Swift Current Broncos

The Tigers and the Broncos split their four games during the regular season with two wins apiece. The Bengals, who finished seven points clear of Speedy Creek, took the last matchup with a 7-3 win on Valentine’s Day. This series hinges on which import goaltender Finn Eetu Laurikainen (Broncos) or Czech Marek Langhamer (Tigers) is able to assert himself.

Prediction: Tigers in six

Kelowna Rockets vs. Tri-City Americans

The Rockets earned the Scotty Munro Trophy as regular-season champs for the third time in franchise history, establishing club records for wins (57) and points (118). The deep and talented Rockets finished 50 points ahead of the Americans, who are simply in way over their heads here.

Prediction: Rockets in four

Portland Winterhawks vs. Vancouver Giants

The defending WHL champs have way too much firepower to be challenged in the opening round. The top-six scorers on the ’Hawks roster averaged well over a point per game. The G-Men, who have had a nice bounce-back season, don’t have a single player in that category. It’s not close on paper. It won’t be close on the ice.

Prediction: Winterhawks in four

Victoria Royals vs. Spokane Chiefs

With wire-to-wire WHL scoring champ Mitch Holmberg leading the way, the Chiefs won 3-of-4 head-to-head tilts this season. But the Royals have played their best hockey over the past few months and surrendered the fewest goals in the Western Conference. Defence wins championships, or at least this series.

Prediction: Royals in six

Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Everett Silvertips

This one’s a coin flip. The T-Birds enjoyed a slim 5-4-1 advantage over the Silvertips during the regular season, but Everett, which finished the season on a league-best 11-0-2 run, won the last three meetings. In a weird scheduling quirk, the U.S. Division rivals met just once in the first three months and then nine times since Christmas. So there won’t be much love lost by the time this one’s over.